3 - World History - Ancient World to 1750 CE Flashcards
This deck explores the history of major civilizations from ancient times to the early modern period. It covers the rise and fall of empires, the impact of cultural exchange, and the effects of global trade and colonization. (78 cards)
Identify:
Key contributions of Ancient Greek civilization to Western philosophy and science.
- Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundations of Western philosophy, emphasizing reason, ethics, and political theory.
- Advances in mathematics by Euclid.
- Principles of physics by Archimedes.
- Hippocratic Oath in medicine.
Explain:
How did the political structures of different city-states, such as Athens and Sparta, shape their societies and interactions?
- Athens’ democracy promoted civic participation, intellectual pursuits, and cultural achievements.
- Sparta’s oligarchic and militaristic system focused on discipline, military prowess, and austere living, leading to a society centered on warrior culture.
Explain:
In what ways did Ancient Greek art and architecture reflect their values and beliefs?
- Greek art celebrated human beauty and form, exemplified by sculptures like the Venus de Milo and Discobolus.
- Architecture, such as the Parthenon, showcased their religious devotion, architectural innovation, and emphasis on harmony and proportion.
Explain:
What role did mythology and religion play in the everyday lives of Ancient Greeks?
- Greek mythology and religion provided explanations for natural phenomena, human behavior, and life events, deeply influencing daily life and cultural practices.
- Religious rituals, festivals, and oracles were integral to public and private life, reinforcing social cohesion and moral values.
Identify::
Key factors that led to the rise and expansion of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire.
- Military conquest and strategic alliances.
- Effective administrative and legal systems.
Describe:
How did Roman law and governance evolve from the Republic to the Empire, and what were the major reforms introduced during this transition?
- Transition from a Republic with elected officials to an Empire with centralized autocratic rule.
- Rise of Julius Caesar.
- Major reforms included the establishment of imperial bureaucracy and codification of laws (e.g., Justinian’s Code).
Identify:
Causes and effects of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.
- Causes: internal instability, economic troubles, and invasions by barbarian tribes.
- Effects: fragmentation of Western Europe and the rise of feudalism.
Explain:
How did Roman culture, including its art, architecture, and literature, influence the development of Western civilization?
- Roman architecture, such as the use of arches, vaults, and concrete, became foundational in Western building design.
- Roman law, governance, and Latin language shaped European legal systems and languages.
- Roman literature, particularly works by Virgil, Ovid, and Cicero, provided a model for later Western literature, inspiring themes of heroism, morality, and rhetoric that persist in modern Western culture.
Describe:
What were the social and economic structures of ancient Rome, and how did they impact daily life for different classes within Roman society?
- Society was hierarchical, with a clear divide between patricians (elite) and plebeians (commoners).
- Economic activities included agriculture, trade, and slavery, influencing social dynamics and daily life.
Identify:
Aspects of Ancient Roman life that are still used in societies today.
- Legal Systems
- Infrastructure and Engineering
- Language
- Architecture
- Government and Republic
Identify:
How did Cyrus the Great establish the Persian Empire?
- Military skill.
- Open mindedness about how subjects should be treated.
- Administrative skill by ruling through provinces.
Explain:
What were the key factors and historical circumstances that led to the formation and rise of the Persian Empire?
- The unification of Persian tribes under the leadership of Cyrus the Great in the mid-6th century BCE.
- Strategic military conquests and diplomatic strategies that expanded Persian territory and influence, including the defeat of the Medes, Lydians, and Babylonians.
Explain:
How did the administrative structure and governance of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenid dynasty contribute to its stability and ability to manage a vast and diverse territory?
- Relied on a system of satrapies, or provinces, each governed by a satrap who maintained local control while remaining loyal to the central authority.
- Created a decentralized approach to governance, which allowed the empire to efficiently manage its vast and diverse territories.
- Used standardized laws, a centralized tax system, and a network of roads to facilitate communication, trade, and military coordination across the empire.
Explain:
How did the economic policies and infrastructure of the Persian Empire contribute to its stability and expansion?
- Standardized taxation and the use of a common currency created a stable financial system that supported both the government and trade across its vast territories.
- Infrastructure projects like the Royal Road and an extensive postal system enhanced communication, trade, and military mobilization, linking distant provinces and ensuring efficient governance.
Describe:
Geography of the Persian Empire.
- Stretched from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt in the west to the Indus Valley in the east.
- Encompassed varied landscapes, including deserts, mountain ranges, fertile plains, and coastal regions, across modern-day Iran, Turkey, Egypt, parts of Greece, and Central Asia.
Explain:
What were the major political and cultural achievements of the Maurya and Gupta Empires, and how did they shape ancient Indian civilization?
- The Maurya Empire achieved significant political unification under Ashoka, who also promoted Buddhism.
- The Gupta Empire is known for its cultural and scientific advancements, often referred to as the Golden Age of India.
Explain:
How did the religious and philosophical traditions of Hinduism develop and influence society?
- Developed through a synthesis of ancient Vedic traditions and local beliefs
- Established a complex system of deities, rituals, and social orders, which deeply influenced Indian society’s cultural and social norms.
Explain:
How did the religious and philosophical traditions of Buddhism develop and influence society?
- Emerged from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
- Advocated for the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
- Challenged the rigid caste system and promoted ideals of compassion and enlightenment, spreading across Asia and impacting various cultures.
Explain:
How did the religious and philosophical traditions of Jainism develop and influence society?
- Founded by Mahavira.
- Emphasized non-violence (ahimsa), asceticism, and self-discipline.
- Influenced social and ethical practices and contributed to the development of vegetarianism in the region.
Identify:
3 pillars of Indian society.
- The Village: comprised of small villages that had autonomy,
- The Caste System: formed through the Laws of Manu, an ancient text which governed everyday life.
- The Family: formed around the joint family, in which the wives of the sons in a family live with the son’s parents and collectively rear children.
Identify:
Levels in the Indian Caste System.
- Brahmin
- Kshatriya
- Vaishya
- Shudra
- Untouchables
Describe:
Geography of the Indus Valley civilization.
- Located on a flat alluvial plains.
- Surrounded by ocean, desert, and mountains.
- Covered with swamps and dense forests.
- The 2 major cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
Explain:
Key intellectual and cultural achievements of the Gupta Dynasty.
- Development of the concept of zero.
- Significant contributions to algebra and astronomy.
- Advancements in medical knowledge through texts like the Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita.
- Flourishing of classical Sanskrit literature.
Describe:
What were the key factors in the emergence of the Huang He civilization, and why was it significant in ancient Chinese history?
- Emerged due to fertile land along the Yellow River, fostering agricultural development.
- Became significant for its early advancements in Chinese culture, technology, and state formation.